Thanksgiving Cooking Tips From The Washington Fire Marshal

As Thanksgiving turkeys begin to thaw across Western Washington, the state Fire Marshal's Office is sharing a few reminders to prevent kitchen mishaps over the holiday. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the number one day of the year for fires connected to home cooking in the United States.

Last year, firefighters in Washington responded to at least 18 residential cooking fires during the holiday. According to the National Fire Incident Reporting System, 16 percent of all Washington house fires in 2018 involved cooking equipment, leading to 21 injuries and $5 million in property damage. While some reminders may seem obvious, it's a good time to brush up on a few do's and don'ts.

Thanksgiving Fire Prevention Tips

• Most cooking-related fires involve the stove. Stay in the kitchen and monitor progress while the stove is turned on.
• Take extra precautions with turkey fryers. Never fry and frozen turkey and consider oil-free fryers when possible. Avoid using turkey fryers indoors or on wooden decks.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — including oven mitts, wooden utensils, and towels — away from the stovetop.
• Stay home while the turkey is cooking and check its progress frequently.
• Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
• Keep a lid or cookie sheet nearby to quickly cover a pan in the event of a fire.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
• Verify your smoke alarms work and test them before embarking on your cooking journey.